What is the Greek word for propitiation?
The Greek word rendered propitiation is halasterion. This Greek term underlies the biblical usage of propitiation. It is connected with Christ, who is the propitiation for our sins, and it appears again in 1 John 2:2, where His propitiation is for believers and also for the whole world.
Les explains that propitiation comes from the Greek word halasterion, which he says he thinks is the pronunciation. He notes the word is used only one more time, in First John chapter 2, and that as far as he knows these are the only two places it is used. Reading 1 John 2:1-2, he points out that if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous, and He is the propitiation for our sins, not for ours only but for the whole world. Les says this is where he is not a dyed-in-the-wool Calvinist, because the propitiation is for everyone, while many Calvinists maintain His redemption was only for those who would believe.